Biden's heat protection rule leaves public sector workers at risk

A loophole in a 1972 law prevents about 7.9 million public-sector workers from receiving OSHA's proposed heat protections.

Ariel Wittenberg reports for E&E News.

In short:

Congress passed a law in 1972 excluding public workers from OSHA protections, leaving millions vulnerable to workplace injuries and heat-related risks.
OSHA's new heat rule mandates private employers provide water and rest breaks, but public workers in 23 states remain unprotected.
Public-sector workers have nearly double the injury rate of private-sector workers, highlighting the need for comprehensive safety regulations.

Key quote:

"If they aren’t covered by OSHA, they have no right to a safe workplace. If someone gets hurt or killed, there is no investigation, no citation, no lessons learned."

— Jordan Barab, former OSHA deputy assistant secretary

Why this matters:

The exclusion of public workers from OSHA protections can result in higher injury rates and potential fatalities, especially in extreme heat. Ensuring all workers are protected can prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries.

www.eenews.net

Biden's heat protection rule leaves public sector workers at risk

Climate change is heating up Georgia, farmers find ways to adapt

America’s second largest reservoir is at a record low, putting electricity supply at risk for millions

Opinion: Meta hides data center info as it pushes more risks to Entergy’s customers

Rhine drought, heatwaves and deaths: Is it time for Germany to enshrine climate protection in law?

Rhine drought, heatwaves and deaths: Is it time for Germany to enshrine climate protection in law?

Despite energy crisis, Bangladesh’s factories are slow to adopt solar power

The cognitive bias behind bad climate math

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.